Thursday, July 10, 2014

Our Market days have been busy with reviewing new options and scoping out the latest trends! Many of our vendors have become fine friends and we are always welcomed warmly.

Today at the end of the day, we ran into a favorite showroom, Face to Face! Watch for some of Bridgette's darling designs to be available for your gift giving or gift keeping!!

These darling new framed sentimental quotes would thrill my mother...

I ordered several of my favorites, and you may recall her tea towel designs that were so popular several years ago. Great gift giving for all my cute family and friends who love baking as much as I do!

HP Officejet Pro X476 dn

And who wouldn't want these stylish organic burlap placemats?! All the table manners you want to teach in a stylish format! Yes, please!

Bridgette is well known for her rustic, oversized framing and planned photo gallerys. She is a creative and accomplished photographer and we love being inspired by her visuals. I also ordered several oversized neutral pillow with tender sayings that will tug at your heart strings.

Tomorrow, the day of jewelry shopping! A personal favorite and coveted by all my daughters and sisters (and friends) who love stylish accessories! I'll keep you posted! Those crowds will require a good nights sleep and some running shoes...

Monday, July 7, 2014

Here we are in July once again and the Atlanta summer market will begin tomorrow! It seems to us (Linda and I) that as our familiar hotels, one by one, update and become very stylish with the interior trends we love-they become substantially smaller in the storage! That doesn't really work well for two high maintenance girls...

12 pair of shoes between us...where do they go?

2 drawers, one each. Small drawers. Oh. My.

Small sink with basic working space for one. One.

A refrigerator that is a "cooler", basically, not cold.

So, while our ceiling high headboards upholstered in white channeled vinyl are super chic and there are multiple outlets for Internet devices, as well as purely comfortable beds of memory foam ...two gals who have lots of "stuff" are a bit cramped!

I suppose that is the price we pay for style. *sigh*

Tomorrow begins our week long trek of three buildings, 20 floors each. We will be searching for the most unique, most stylish, newest introductions that we can find with that "oh so susan" flavor. I'll give you a report at the end of each day with photos of goods and bads, better and best! Shoe reports, color trends and our favorite picks in all categories. Check in daily and enjoy the ride with us!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Wow. Between my client projects and travel to Paris, I'm feeling a bit behind in life!

Just to let you know, my July Market dates are coming up and I will be filling you in on the newest trends, my "likes" and "don't like" finds (!) and, of course, the shoe report between Linda and myself!

10 days in Paris really spoiled my sense of style in all things, from food to architechture, to beauties of all kinds. Paris is full of style! Time permitting, I really want to share some of my adventures there with you...but it occurs to me that I had better make time before the Holiday season hits me hard...and, believe it or not, that is just around the corner!

I'd love you to check out my new website! It still has a bit of construction to be completed, but you will find new and exciting things there. I'll let you in on a little secret that we will shortly be launching our E-commerce section of the website! Some of my favorite finds will be available at great prices through our website.

So, even though I have been an absentee blogger, there have been lots of exciting things happening in my Black-eyed Susan world. Keep checking in with me and I'll try not to disappoint!

Susan

I just returned from an exciting finish/installation to a project in Michigan and this organic accent was one of the cool things I designed for their bar area. More to follow!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Who would have thought that a lightweight turtleneck and leather vest would be the perfect wear for a day at the beautiful Jersey shoreline of Avalon mid April?!! The highway was snow covered much of the way. Good grief!

Cold winds and blustery weather did not deter the delivery of two room of furniture for the complete makeover of our long time clients, Pat and Kathy Beach. Both Pat and Kathy were excellent assistants and Kelly, the Black-eyed Susan retail manager was my right hand today. The day was rewarding and the end result delightful!

The project began months ago with a new plan with included an entire change of pallet for the main floor. We selected the wall colors, new fabrics and patterns-an entire new look! Walt got busy transforming the rooms with deep navy and orange walls and ceilings last fall. Since then, the rooms have been waiting this day of delivery and we were not disappointed at the end of the day!

Cutest rug ever! Global Views, a wow vendor with plenty of style! We re purposed the coffee table and smaller accent tables with a favorite paint color. Chevron patterned chairs and this oh so Susan chevron navy and white vessel just make me smile!

Now this is what I call a stylish recliner. Orange. Oh. Yes. Comfort. Oh. Yes.

Take a close look at these coolest ever chairs! Delish. And they are super comfortable too!

The plan all along was to replace this navy Corian countertop, but after the addition of pure joy (orange vases!) and these framed navy sea beauties, we are all on the fence. It all seems to make sense now!

Those of you who are followers know that I always admonish painted ceilings. Here is proof positive of painted walls and ceilings in semi gloss, no less! Again, that rug is just fabulous! (Take note of the pillows with fish motif!) Orange pillow accents to come...

A broad view of our cute room! Can I just say that recliner is the perfect union of style and comfort?! It's a keeper.

Now let's turn to Pat's office. Reverse the colors for the family room...now, orange walls, navy rug! This graphic flat weave grounds the room with punctuated pattern. And look at this art! Oh. My. This room would draw anyone in to sit down to pay a few bills!

In case you are ready for a comfortable place to read or a long chat with a friend, here are a pair of delightful zebra linen chairs! Warm Stone adds that bit of warmth to the room and just look at the perfectly colored wall clock! (Although I was a bit surprised at the time of day!)

Definitely a room to love. Who wouldn't want to go to work here everyday?!

We took this existing display cabinet and painted it our impact color with the warm stone interior. I had this manzanita branches delivered yesterday from my wholesale florist and Patti (queen of the Black-eyed Susan stockroom) cheerfully painted them white for me! I had the vision of mostly white objects to fill the interior. The manzanita branches really made for the perfect look! White vases, succulents and miniature frames complete the look. Great re-purpose! I recommend it!

This is the top of the display cabinet. I really didn't relish selling this favorite mirror...somehow, I always imagined it at my house! Our covered books, more white vessels and Kathy's shore bird + a small white globe make an interesting vingette. I. Love. This.

Step into the house in this foyer. Kathy had the tennis rack vessel painted orange (!) and I suggested painting the treads and banister in a high gloss black! So perfect.This collection of tennis rackets are Kathy's since she was a young girl! How perfect. The homeowner, Pat, stepped in to be my painter's assistant and he did this himself! As long as I have known Pat, he can't resist getting his hands in the work. He is a man of industry and don't try to hold him back!

The day was a complete success. Color, pattern, style. New Look. Good friends. Good help. What more could a designer ask for? Perfect day. Perfect client. Thanks, Kathy and Pat.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

I'm not sure what happened....late nights, early mornings and little time in between, I suppose. I always look forward to my market reports, as you do!

We had a particularly busy schedule and design load with current projects. Torrential rain hindered our progress one day, keeping us in one building for the most part of the day. Pink, coral in all shades, navy, white...all current trends and everywhere. Modernism still dominates design, but with fine taste and style.

As I travel home with a very late night arrival, I will post one photo that sums up the color of the market. And really, trust me when I say I have a blogging goal of more regular posts! I have so much to catch up on...weddings, parties, projects, design ideas and more! Have faith.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

April
High Point spring market is always an anticipated trend show! In
addition, the promise of a southern spring certainly is enticing, having
had one of the worst winters in history for Pennsylvania!

to
appease my followers, I'll just start out by saying that collectively,
Linda and I are sharing about 20 pair of shoes for our four day trip.
Well, what can I say? It's hard to know what the weather will encourage
and back-ups are necessary!

Our first full day was
spent catching glimpses of favorite showrooms, shuttling from one end of
the town to the other. The wind was not our friend when it came to
blowing skirts and hair, but the temperature was balmy enough to
encourage endurance of such annoyances.

So, for days one and two, here are a few of our favorite trends...

Vanguard had their own version of coral...tradition meets hip! I'll take that.

Another Black-eyed Susan favorite pallet...lime, chartreuse and charcoal. So cool!

Another view! Yes.

Loving!

Teal and turquoise make heaven. Branches, definitely!

Fresh pallets were singing!

CRLaine sported lots of color, as usual. For those of you who know me, I'm all about color! Coral continues to be a strong influence. Look at this cool pattern. We just happen to be presenting this fabric in several ongoing projects at home!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

A full plate of design work hasn't left much time for blogging...I'm sad! I have such a backlog of photos and inspirations to write about, it is maddening! On top of a heavier than usual work load, I am having a new and exciting new web site designed ( my part is a bit overwhelming) and the High Point Market is just around the corner...then, Paris!

That being said, there continues to be the cutest ever merchandise coming in the back door, so I thought I would share some of them with you. I'm going on the record to say that I have some very steady blogging goals, so you can count on me picking up my game!

Take a look at a few of the cute things we put out tonight!

These cheerful stacking tables just make me happy! Cool for a hip daughter's room or an accent to make the great room sing. Love!

This new art duo found the perfect home in this room setting. I could just load this whole grouping in the van to my home. Hmmmmm. Not a bad idea.

I love the new graphic mirrors that define this neutral space. Pretty spot on perfect.

After months of waiting, this striking custom piece came in from Vanguard., Vanguard offers any Sherwin Williams paint you select in their Make It Yours program. Wow! My perfect color...orange! There are many choices of solid wood furniture pieces to choose from. Select a color, I or will help you! I'm in heaven.

I'm always happy when beach season is just around the corner. I'm starting a new project in Margate that promises to be stylish and striking! Look at these little butter post sized plates with sea turtles! Oh. My.

You'll have to hurry to get this before it goes to a client project...or my family room!! Who wouldn't want a chrome finished rhino?!

Another Vanguard side table came in , in chrome and gray . Pretty much perfect. I. Want. This.